pointed commentary on current affairs in Jamaica and the Caribbean

The main difference between the Common Entrance Examination (CEE) and Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) is there are more subjects and more material to study for GSAT. But let us not forget, results day for CEE was just as stressful and traumatic.

That’s because the fundamental question these tests answer is “Which high school will my child attend?” Therein lies the problem, since the test results determine placement at the high school level, and the facilities and reputation of the high schools can vary markedly.

I don’t think that the main problem is the exam itself. The problem is that there are only a handful of high schools that we parents want our children to attend. Think about it. The desperation to get test scores up over 80% and 90% is almost entirely due to anxiety to get our children into one of the “brand name” schools.

The extra classes starting in Grade Four, the after school, Saturday, Sunday and Christmas classes are fueled primarily by our desire to get our children into their first choice school. (Parents are allowed to select five schools on the GSAT application form. Some are more popular than others and therefore children have to score higher and higher to get into them).

If we were assured that even if our children scored 80%, 70%, 60%, they would still end up going to a school with good facilities, good security, with no apparent problems of criminal gangs operating (yes, that’s what we’ve come to) and one in which we could be sure that their abilities would be nurtured and their potential realized, would we push our children so hard?

If we were convinced that their future did not depend to such a great extent on their GSAT placing, would we be able to relax a bit more, and place a little less stress on them? I make the point about security and gangs because I think that the lure of the “brand name” schools is greater than just academic excellence, it is also their reputation for law and order and a relatively peaceful school environment that attracts parents.

Many of the upgraded high schools have been doing better and better. But we still have a way to go.

3 thoughts on “GSAT – the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat – Part 1”

There is a similarity with Jamaica in the US as regards the “good” and “bad” schools. Some people think the poor student performance and dangerous behaviors are the result of the break-up of the traditional family. If that is the case, then the cure will be monumentally difficult to be achieved.

I feel sorry for the children and the parents who have to go through this. Boy I’m happy I’m done with it. I thought it was stressful then for my daughter who is now in University and it has got worse! You are on point when you say the problem is the inadequate number of top tier high schools the country has. Too many years and too much money was spent building “new secondary schools” and then we think by rebranding them parents and children will say “oh ok.” Kudos to those who continue to lift up their standards. Parents and guardians don’t let the government tell you otherwise, the subventions that schools get are grossly INADEQUATE, that’s why they charge auxiliary fees. Look around you, the schools that continue to do well are the schools where the parents are active stakeholders and buy “one less” and contribute towards their children’s education. If you can’t pay the full amount the school is asking go in and talk to the administrators and work something out. Let’s not kid ourselves everyone can’t hold into the few so called “top schools.”

Must say I also get concerned about the reviews. It was a review of Common Entrance Examination that eliminated the composition component, then five years later, the experts discovered that children couldn’t write! Duh!